They didn’t have to wait long.

Hideo could hear the wail well before he heard something hit the tree. It didn’t sound like any Pokemon he’d heard before, though he couldn’t say that he’d met every Pokemon out there. Though this one sounded oddly…human?

Had he brought a Telepathic Pokemon, they could’ve immediately told him what it really was, but he was going to have to find out on his own.

His two Pokemon moved off their resting spots - the Zorua hopping off Hideo’s lap while the Zarude lazily stood back up. The Zorua walked up to this mysterious dragon, standing a small distance away as he stood poised, ready to attack at Hideo’s order.

The Zarude just glanced at the dragon, standing in place. Its attention was more towards the sound of the incoming Kangaskhan.

Hideo stood up, retrieving a Pokeball, though he was hesitant to approach the trapped “Pokemon”, worried about the one he could hear approaching them. But his worries were slightly allayed when the stuck “Pokemon” spoke, congratulating a “Missy”.

Hideo was quick to put the pieces together, but he just had to make sure. “That isn’t a Pokemon, is it?” he asked his Zarude. The answer he got was a grunt, followed by the large monkey sitting back down.

He took that as a “no”.

“You, uh, alright there?” Hideo asked, putting away his Pokeball. “Need help getting off the tree, or can your Pokemon handle it?”

His Zorua backed off, more in caution of the incoming Kangaskhan, getting close to Hideo, though still in his battle-ready stance.

Andrea Vaneau

Yeah, definitely a person.

Hideo answered with a quick “alright” as she declined the need for aid, the boy taking a seat as he listened to her Pokemon make an effort to free her. His Zorua was still on guard, though stayed close to Hideo and the Zarude.

It sounded like they weren’t making much progress. No shocker there: that was some sticky honey he put on the tree. If a Pokemon got stuck, he could at the very least catch them in a ball, but a person was gonna have a rough time.

Then he heard the zipper that sounded like it went forever. And the warning. She must’ve been wearing a full-body suit or something - and was taking it off.

While it wasn’t necessary, Hideo did turn away, though his two Pokemon didn’t: his Zorua kept watch, unsure of the threat and lacking familiarity with the idea that one should look away from an undressing human. The Zarude, meanwhile, just kept watch out of pure indifference.

Hideo turned back once given permission to. “So…what were you wearing?” he had to ask. “Sounded like something you wear over your whole body.”

Unknown to Hideo, it seemed this girl and her Pokemon weren’t the only ones attracted to the laid-out honey: a Swalot had caught wind of the scent, and was steadily approaching the tree. His Zarude had taken notice, looking towards where it was coming from, but Hideo had yet to hear its approach.

Andrea Vaneau

There was a momentary pause as Hideo took in what the lady told him; “Your Pokemon disguise?” he parroted, a dumbfounded look to his face. Even her explanation didn’t allay his surprise. “I, uh, guess that kinda makes sense?” It didn’t, but he wasn’t one to argue the logic of dressing up like a Pokemon.

But it did explain what she was trying to do now. “Yeah, it’s honey,” Hideo answered, standing up once more. “I put it there. It’s supposed to attract Pokemon. I was planning to catch some, but guess it seems like I caught you.” There was a small grin as he said that - fairly amused that such would even happen. “Well, your costume anyways.”

Well, he couldn’t just leave it there. “Gimme a sec: I got a Pokemon with me that can help wash it off.”

Though as he dove in his pocket to retrieve its Pokeball, the distinctive cry of a Swalot could be heard, its attention on the honey-slathered tree. Its mouth opened wide as it took a big bite out of the tree, taking a good amount of the honey with it. The costume was spared, but another bite that size would reach it.

“Oh, that doesn’t sound good,” Hideo mused. “Vines, you mind-”

Before he could finish that, a large burst of pink light burst from his Zorua’s mouth, the Light of Ruin headed straight for the Swalot.

Andrea Vaneau

As Hideo searched for the right ball, he answered the lady’s question. “I dunno. It’d have to depend on what your costume is.” He didn’t know what kind of Pokemon her costume was designed to look like - there were plenty of human-sized Pokemon out there she could be. If she’d even dressed up like one, considering all the human-sized Pikachu costumes out there. “I usually go for what you do, or if I can think of a joke with your name…which I don’t know.”

Right. He hadn’t introduced himself yet. “I’m Hideo by the way.”

Fortunately, his Zorua’s timely fairy-beam was enough to scare off the Swalot, the blobby biter taking that as its cue to run off as quickly as its blobby legs could take it.

With the Kangaskhan holding the tree up, Hideo had enough time to find the right Pokeball, letting out a Seismitoad. “Swimcoach, help her get her costume off the tree,” he ordered, the large toad nodding and walking towards the tree. She’d make sure the lady wouldn’t get in the crossfire as she fired a Hydro Pump at the tree, blasting the honey off and the costume with it.

Thankfully, the worst the costume would get is being drenched, and a proper washing would be needed to get the honey off. It would still be intact.

“Well, guess I’ll have to get more honey,” Hideo said, the Seismitoad returning to him. “But that’s easier to replace than a full-body costume.”

Before he could continue speaking, he felt his Zarude place something fluffy in his arms: his Zorua. Passed out, but otherwise fine. “Guess that attack must’ve knocked him out. I don’t even know what attack that was, but it seems strong.” Calling him back into his Pokeball would suffice for now.

Andrea Vaneau